Le Vernet: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

The 2.3 km-long “balade de l'Azuré” runs along the Côte Saint-Amand as an interactive educational trail through its cultural and natural heritage.

Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Le Vernet will find concrete points of reference for planning their own trip in the town’s natural, walking and cultural attractions.

Nature

The Côte Saint-Amand is an Espace Naturel Sensible, jointly shared by Abrest and Le Vernet. Its limestone-loving dry grasslands are home to 321 recorded plant species, including nine orchid species.

From the Côte Saint-Amand, with the Plateau des Hurlevents, the view stretches across the Allier plain to the mountain ranges of the Montagne bourbonnaise and the Monts du Forez, as well as the volcanic chain; access is free. The viewpoint at the Jardins des Hurlevents also offers views across the Allier Valley and towards the Chaîne des Puys.

Walking routes and activities

The “Parcours d’orientation patrimoine – Les Vergers” orienteering course runs through the village of Le Vernet using a map and compass. There are ten control points along the route, which must be found in the specified order.

Les Jardins des Hurlevents offer a freely accessible botanical walk in a tree nursery specialising in perennials, allowing visitors to discover plants and their diversity.

Trail No. 14 crosses the Plateau des Hurlevents above the Allier and Abrest. In the surrounding forests, the route follows the lower-lying Sichon. The 13.7 km-long trail starts in Le Vernet and has been awarded the Uni'Vert Trail designation by the Fédération Française d'Athlétisme.

Route No. 82, “La balade de l'Empereur”, begins at the Hurlevents site on the Plateau de Le Vernet, leads through fields to the medieval town of Cusset and follows the meanders of the Sichon.

Culture and history

The Château du Vernet is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. Two towers of the former north façade, the foundations of the south façade and the 16th-century main building with an échauguette have been preserved.

Billy Castle, a historic site, is located in the area around Le Vernet. The wider surrounding region also contains the Abbaye de Montpeyroux and the Abbaye du Moutier, which are likewise historic sites.

Geographical setting

The mountains Pierre Charbonnière, Haut de Gaillefaut, Les Hauterets and Ray Dadieu are located in the wider surrounding region of Le Vernet.

Other destinations: Treignat, Voussac, Vernusse, Saint-Rémy-En-Rollat, Saint-Menoux, Mariol, Le Mayet-De-Montagne, Hauterive.

To the higher-level travel overview: Allier.